5 interesting facts about Vanilla

1. Vanilla is native to Mexico. However it is grown throughout the tropics with Indonesia and Madagascar being the world’s largest producers.

2. Vanilla is the second-most expensive spice (after Saffron). This is primarily because of the intensive labor required to grow and extract it.

3. The characteristic aroma and flavor of Vanilla is due to the presence of the chemical compound Vanilin.

4. Mexico enjoyed a 300-year monopoly on the production of Vanilla as natural pollination could only occur due to the presence of the Mountain Bee of the melipona genus. A simple hand-pollination method was only discovered in 1841.

5. Vanilla is regarded as the world’s most popular aroma and flavor. It is widely used to complement and enhance the flavor of other substances such as chocolate, custard, caramel, coffee and even liquors!

5 interesting facts about Nutmeg

1. Nutmeg is native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia.

2. Indonesia produces over 75% of Nutmeg. Grenada produces the second largest 20% share of global production.

3. Nutmeg has psychoactive effects in large doses. This is due to the presence of Myristicin – a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Nutmeg is highly toxic to dogs!

4. Nutmeg trees are propogated both sexually and asexually. There is no reliable method of determining plant sex before flowering; which typically happens between the sixth and eight year of growth.

5. In Indonesian, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Nutmeg is often used as a spice for savory dishes. In Europe, Nutmeg is a traditional ingredient in mulled cider, wine and Eggnog.

5 interesting facts about Cinnamon

1. Cinnamon is native to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Malabar Coast of India and Burma.

2. Sri Lanka produces 80% of one species of Cinnamon. Indonesia produces one third of all the other species. India is a minor producer of Cinnamon.

3. The flavor of cinnamon is due to an aromatic essential oil that makes up 0.5 to 1% of its composition.  The pungent taste and scent come from cinnamaldehyde.

4. Cinnamon was rare and highly prized in the ancient world. It was considered a gift fit for monarch and even gods. The mythical Phoenix was reputed to build its nest with cinnamon.

5. Cinnamon bark is used as a spice. It is frequently used in the preparation of chocolate. It is also used in many dessert recipes, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, aromatic wine and liqueurs. More unconventional uses include using Cinnamon for pickling!

5 interesting facts about Saffron

1. Saffron is native to South West Asia. It was probably first cultivated near Greece.

2. Saffron is most expensive spice in the world. Iran is the world’s largest producer and exporter of Saffron, accounting for over 90% of global cultivation.

3. Saffron's taste is a result of the chemicals picrocrocin and safranal.

4. Saffron has been traded and used for over five millennia. In fact, Saffron-based pigments have been found in 50,000-year-old depictions of prehistoric places in northwest Iran.

5. Saffron is known as a therapeutic drug. Egyptian healers used Saffron in the treatment of various gastrointestinal ailments. The Romans used Saffron in medicines for the treatment of wounds, coughs, colic and scabies.

5 interesting facts about Cardamom

1. Cardamom is native to South India.

2. Cardamom is third most expensive spice in the world. Gautemala is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cardamom, followed by India. India was the largest producer till the 20^th century.

3. There are two types of cardamom. Green cardamom – cultivated between India and Malaysia and Black cardamom – cultivated in the foothills of the Himalayas. Both types are native to India.

4. The Vikings first introduced cardamom to Scandinavia and it forms an integral part of their cuisine even today. The European Union imports over 1,200 tons of cardamom with Sweden being the top consumer.

5. Traditional medicine has always listed cardamom as an aphrodisiac. Research has also revealed its carminative, diuretic, antispasmodic, antiseptic and expectorant properties – among a host of other health benefits.

5 interesting facts about Pepper

1. Pepper is native to South India.

2. Pepper is the most traded spice in the world. Vietnam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of pepper, producing 34% of the world’s output. India  is the third largest producer and exporter.

3. The spiciness of black pepper is due to the presence of the chemical ‘piperine’.

4. Black pepper is produced from the still-green, unripe drupes of the pepper plant. White pepper consists of the seed of the pepper plant alone. Orange pepper or red pepper usually consists of ripe red pepper drupes preserved in brine and vinegar.

5. At one time, pepper was so valuable that it was used as currency or collateral. When Alaric the Visigoth besieged Rome in the 5^th century he demanded a ransom that included 3,000 pounds of pepper. The rise of Venice and Genoa is attributed to their monopoly of the spice trade. This is also what lead the Portuguese to discover a sea route to India.